I’m proud to report that A LIFE WAS SAVED thanks to one of “Jenny’s Heroes.” Alisha Obando, a school nurse from American Falls, Idaho, had requested funds in January to provide three AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) to her local school district. Last week, a young life was saved. A 17-year-old student collapsed at football practice and had no pulse. The AED saved his life. I know that a lot of people have been helped though “Jenny’s Heroes” but this is the first definitive proof that a life was saved. I’m rewarded beyond words. If you want to see more about Alisha or the other Heroes, click here.

Scene of the Crime:

Evidence:

D.N.A.  Sample:

Mug Shot:

Hi Jenny. I want to know more about how to prevent dry skin on the face.

Noreen

Dear Noreen,

There are a few things I can suggest and the first is your diet. A healthy diet is always reflected in healthy skin. Besides lots of vegetables & fruit, it’s important to consume some fat but only healthy fat, like olive oil, canola oil, avocados, nuts, etc., and drink water every day. Secondly, make sure you are not stripping away moisture when you wash your face – do not use regular soap (never deodorant soap!) but only a mild cleanser and no hot water. Look for a rich “hydrating” moisturizer and if your climate is dry, use a humidifier and spray your face regularly with water. I hope that helps.

Jenny

Jenny,

If I want to add lowfat healthy seasoning to the paperbag popcorn what would you suggest? before or after popping? mrs.dash has several varieties without sodium etc, have you experimented?

Lynda

Lynda,

If you pop without oil, I would add the dry seasoning after because otherwise, it won’t stick. If you use oil, you can add the seasoning with the oil and shake the bag well before popping. I like my popcorn the traditional way so I pop it in the microwave plain, with no oil, then I add a little melted “Canola Harvest” (I don’t use butter) and I add popcorn salt. But your question inspired me to experiment and since I love kettle corn, I tried popping with a little canola oil and about 2 teaspoons of sugar and it was great – a very light, slightly sweet treat. Depending on your tastes, you can add all kinds of seasonings like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, chili powder, onion powder, dried herbs, or a little parmesan cheese.

Jenny

This house is cursed! Still recovering from the hideous scorpion at my front door last Monday, we were sitting on the patio today at lunch time sipping tea, and a skunk walks by right across the lawn. A skunk. In the middle of the day! Just walking by. Didn’t see us. Didn’t even look over. And he was big. I did not have my camera so this is not his picture – he was bigger than this one. Here’s a list of back yard visitors so far, from biggest to smallest: deer, coyote, bobcat, ring-necked pheasant, red-tailed hawk, mangy, rat-faced, no-good, low-life, beady-eyed, scum-sucking, tomato-stealing squirrel, rat, garter snake, rattle snake, lizard, and scorpion. The only thing that has not visited so far that was just spotted in Burbank is a mountain lion. It wouldn’t surprise me. Maybe they eat squirrels. You gotta have a dream.

Why is this happening to me? This thing was at my front door today! I opened the door and it was inches from coming inside. What?? At first I thought somebody was playing a joke and it was plastic, but then it moved. I was so stunned I truly was speechless. In 40 years of living in Southern California, I have never seen a scorpion. I did not think they lived here. This is bad, right? Not really.

Here’s the really bad news: Denis said, “Oh, there was one in my office last week but I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to scare you.”

“What?!?” (I swear I just felt something on my neck! – I’ve gotta go)

Let’s just call it what it is.

Bird food. New name? Squirrel food.

You would think a birdhouse hanging on a single wire would keep out these mangy, rat-faced, no-good, low-life, beady-eyed, scum-sucking, bird food-stealing squirrels!

But noooooooooooooo! This was his little private playhouse… until I slammed together two metal pots and he went flying out the side like a frisbee on steroids.  Next time: Mexican jalapeno corn nuts. “Adios, mi amigo. Usted no está bienvenido aqui.”

Goodbye, my flying fuzzy frisbee. Keep flying all the way to Mexico you “sarnoso, rata-encaró, maldito, de los bajos fondos, de ojos pequeños, verdín-chupando, el pájaro ardillas alimento-robando!”

I had dinner last night with two former staffers, Jen Jones (yes, we share the same name!) and Frances Palladino-Zahaitis. Jen picked a great spot called Cliff’s Edge in Silver Lake and as always, we never run out of things to reminisce about. But this time, we were there to toast Jen’s upcoming wedding. (she’s the one in the turquoise top) Jen has found her soulmate and we are all so happy for her. She’s getting married next month and then off on a romantic honeymoon.

All the best to Jen as she starts her new life!

It was unbelievable! I was outside and a red-tailed hawk swooped right over my head and sat up on a wall. I ran in to get my camera, afraid he’d be gone when I got back. But not only was he still there, he stayed there for three hours, switching from tree to wall to roof, and as I kept taking pictures, he didn’t leave. At one point, I was about 20 feet in front of him, in disbelief that he stayed the whole time. After three hours, he flew away, but came back around 6 pm but he didn’t seem as friendly as before. He had a laser-eyed focus on my back hill.  Finally, he turned to me and stared right into my eyes and it was unnerving, but I had to get my pictures! I finally took this last one and ran back in the house. I’m still shaking.

I came from a divorced family full of alcoholics and could never please my parents. Moreover, I did not graduate from high school as well. In light of all circumstances, I did secure a career of 17 years (but recently resigned due to an organizational merger) and was ultimately able to secure an AS, BS, & MPA degrees… However, I am currently unemployed and my divorce of 13 years is almost final. I have struggled for years with addiction….and most recently it has been Very challenging. I am a loving father of 3, I attend church weekly, but I’m all tattooed up Which I believe has created a significant obstacle for me in securing any potential, yet decent employment opportunities. Any advice would be greatly appreciated…..I feel so hopeless…please respond….. God bless.

A.J.